Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy already learning Pat Shurmur's offense

[BernietheKid]

Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy already learning Pat Shurmur's offense

Published: Thursday, February 03, 2011, 10:07 PM Updated: Friday, February 04, 2011, 7:40 AM

By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer


Joshua Gunter l Plain Dealer file photo
Browns quarterback Colt McCoy isn't a guy to phone it in, but he says he's learning a lot about Pat Shurmur's offense through phone conversations with the new head coach.

ARLINGTON, Texas — These are exciting times for Colt McCoy.
Making the rounds the past couple of days at Super Bowl XLV headquarters, a 2 1/2-hour drive east of his hometown of Tuscola, Texas, McCoy has felt the energy of the ultimate destination he hopes to some day take the Browns.

At the same time, the quarterback has begun to immerse himself in the new offense that new coach Pat Shurmur is planning. McCoy said he has had numerous telephone conversations with Shurmur and Browns President Mike Holmgren and is excited about what lies ahead for him and the team.

"My whole mentality will be so much different next year. I can't wait," McCoy said after a long day of national radio interviews and meetings with marketers and sponsors.

"I talk to the coaches regularly. I'm already learning some things over the phone. It's been a real busy month for coach Shurmur trying to hire a staff. I think with coach [Mark] Whipple on board now, things will pick up."

PD Browns coach Pat Shurmur.

While many have cast skeptical eyes on Shurmur's plan to call his own plays in his first year as a head coach at any level, McCoy views it as "pretty cool." He does not have a strong opinion about Shurmur's non-stated decision to not name an offensive coordinator.

"I really don't know what to say about that," McCoy said. "I know coach Shurmur is very brilliant. The time we've spent together, he's told me he's expecting great things for me. He said we're going to grow together and learn together.

"He's gonna be calling the plays. That's unique. At the same time, I think it's pretty cool that the head coach is calling the plays. He's a young guy, with a lot of energy. You can just hear it in his voice. I think it'll be different than last year. Coach [Eric] Mangini was defensive-minded. He did a good job."

McCoy has gleaned the basics of Shurmur's West Coast offensive system from discussions with Shurmur and Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, McCoy's top rival in college who has become a friend and confidante. Bradford won seven games as a rookie starter with the Rams with Shurmur tutoring him as the team's coordinator.

"It's a West Coast system," McCoy said. "I think it's a system, from my experience, that we ran a little bit of in college. It's a very quarterback-friendly system. That's what coach Shurmur keeps reiterating to me. He says we're gonna learn it together and be the best together. I think it's real quick, timing, get the ball out of your hands, make good decisions, and it also takes advantage of my ability to make plays with my feet.

"Sam loves coach Shurmur. Was sad to see him go. He's real excited for me."
McCoy also has seen Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers develop into an elite quarterback in a version of the same offense run by Packers coach Mike McCarthy.

"He's been in the system five years and now he's playing awesome and they're in a Super Bowl," McCoy said. "I know there's going to be a huge learning curve. But I think the skills that God gave me fit perfect for this kind of system."

McCoy said Shurmur has laid out contingency plans for the players in the event of an owners lockout due to the unsettled labor situation. If some type of agreement isn't in place by March 4, players will be prohibited from talking with coaches and entering team facilities.

McCoy said he will return to Cleveland later this month to take a crash course in Shurmur's playbook. He expects to then lead informal workouts with Browns receivers and tight ends if and when a lockout is imposed.

As he ran the gantlet of the national radio shows stationed on broadcast row in the Super Bowl Media Center, McCoy was questioned about the shoulder injury he suffered in the BCS Championship Game in his final game with Texas following the 2009 college season. He surprised many in Cleveland by admitting the injury, which involves a damaged nerve, bothered him throughout his rookie season with the Browns.

"I want to clear this up," McCoy said. "It's not a huge deal. It's really not. Nobody really asked me about it in Cleveland. But my shoulder's still recovering. It didn't affect me the whole season. But some days are good and some days aren't so good. It's been a priority of mine to constantly work on it every day.

"I don't think it's a strength issue as much as a fatigue issue. When it pinched, it damaged the nerve. At the time, the doctor told me that sometimes it can take 2-3 years to clear up. I think this off-season will be the first time I'll have all my attention and focus on getting it right."


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National interviewers also have made a big deal about McCoy saying he will be the Browns' starting quarterback in 2011. He said the same thing in his exit interview after the season. He said he would not be concerned if Holmgren takes a quarterback in the draft in April.

"When coach Holmgren drafted me, he said I wasn't going to play [as a rookie]," McCoy said. "He said, 'You're my guy. You're gonna be great. But a rookie quarterback doesn't play for me. This is how I want you to learn.'

"Coach Holmgren is excited, too. He's got a guy he wants in there, coach Shurmur. As far as them drafting a quarterback, I don't know what's going to happen with Jake [Delhomme] and Seneca [Wallace]. If we do draft one, that's great. I'll do everything to help him. I'm prepared [to start] and confident and really excited."

Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy already learning Pat Shurmur's offense | cleveland.com

[Brown Warrior]

Love so much of what's said here, including Bradford being upset to lose Shurmur... and the "us against the world" bond already forming between McCoy and Shurmur.

I'm really excited that the Browns are finally becoming a WCO team after a couple years of talking about it. And if there's a more impressive WCO think tank than Holmgren-Haskell-Shurmur-Whipple, I don't know what it is. McCoy couldn't possibly be in a better position.

The last time a third round pick thought to be diligent, smart, and mobile went to a WCO team with a big-time guru on board... the Niners won a lot of championships.

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

Love so much of what's said here, including Bradford being upset to lose Shurmur... and the "us against the world" bond already forming between McCoy and Shurmur.

I'm really excited that the Browns are finally becoming a WCO team after a couple years of talking about it. And if there's a more impressive WCO think tank than Holmgren-Haskell-Shurmur-Whipple, I don't know what it is. McCoy couldn't possibly be in a better position.

The last time a third round pick thought to be diligent, smart, and mobile went to a WCO team with a big-time guru on board... the Niners won a lot of championships.

So that people don't think I am a total negative nelly about Shurmur, you point out one thing I loved in these articles too Shep.

That "us against the world" bond Shurmur is trying to forge with him and McCoy says a lot to me. I like that the new coach is already working to create those kinds of relationships and attitudes within the team.

I also like that McCoy is already saying he'll make the recievers go over the playbook if there is a lockout. The kid is a natural leader, there is no question about that.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

Love so much of what's said here, including Bradford being upset to lose Shurmur... and the "us against the world" bond already forming between McCoy and Shurmur.

I'm really excited that the Browns are finally becoming a WCO team after a couple years of talking about it. And if there's a more impressive WCO think tank than Holmgren-Haskell-Shurmur-Whipple, I don't know what it is. McCoy couldn't possibly be in a better position.

The last time a third round pick thought to be diligent, smart, and mobile went to a WCO team with a big-time guru on board... the Niners won a lot of championships.

Shurmur has indicated to some media people that they may not be done hiring coaches and that Haskell will have a big part in the daily running of the offense. Haskell will be his immediate right hand and probably in his ear, from up in the box, on game days.

My take is that they may bring in someone as an offensive assistant, like passing game coordinator but that Whipple will be QB coach/coordinator in waiting while Haskell will mentor him on how him and Shurmur want to offense to run. Whipple (if he works out) will be Offensive coordinator next year.

As of now, I see Shurmur/Haskell and Whipple. I think Haskell will step aside once the offense in totally in place and Shurmur is comfortable. At that point Whipple will be QB/OC coach.

I think it is workable and makes sense. A good OC would want control. As of now Shurmur and Haskell seem to want to put their offense in and bring Whipple along as OC in waiting. Basically, Haskell is the OC but since he isn't looking for a full time position, they won't say he's the OC. He's an advisor, up in age, with a nice looking WCO offensive resume, so you use him for what you can get out of him and let Whipple learn on the fly.

JMO-FWIW

[Brown Warrior]

Could be. Whipple's not a super young guy, really. He's been around and done a lot of his work in college, including as a head coach. But I agree that with Haskell's assist, Shurmur doesn't need much more help.

And I doubt anybody's gonna run a WCO... with Holmgren in the building... and not consult him.

No shortage of WCO brains in Berea.

BTW, in addition to a sense that they'll be in the playoffs. these big-time WRs (Rice, Jackson, Breaston, maybe James Jones) are gonna be looking for a chance to make the ESPN highlights with some bombs, the kind a guy like Rodgers can get to them. I do wonder if they look at Colt McCoy and, rightfully or not, envision a dink and dunk offense.

I think Jones' name will come up because he's been in Holmgren's WCO for a few years... drops and all. You hope that he outgrows it because he's otherwise a pretty phenomenal talent.

[Inspecta]

Well I just love that we have a QB that's already working on next year as opposed to an oaf of a QB we used to have that would be on the golf course from Jan-May. The NFL is a year round venture now, and for the players that embrace the fact that there really is no offseason are the ones that create the edge over the opponent. Shit, just look at Favre, a 20 year vet, but he didn't do shit last offseason, skipped training camp and it couldn't be more evident.

McCoy seems to have that drive and desire, and like Shep said, with the brain trust this kid has at his disposal I can see our offense out-thinking a lot of defenses next year.

I'm starting to warm up to the Shurmur hiring a little bit more. However part of me still thinks we might of cut n' run on Mangini too soon. Time will tell though.


BTW, it's good to be back up and running!

[Vegasdogg]

If we can't get Clement, why can't Haskell be the OC? Is he too important to the Heckert side of things?

[Legacy Fan]

Originally Posted by BernietheKid

I think it'll be different than last year. Coach [Eric] Mangini was defensive-minded. He did a good job.

I wonder how long it took Grossi to compose himself and mop up to finish the interview/story after that little gem.

Pretty awesome to have a kid this dedicated as a QB. Good leader, and with the implementation of the more formal WCO, a great fit.

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

Shurmur has indicated to some media people that they may not be done hiring coaches and that Haskell will have a big part in the daily running of the offense. Haskell will be his immediate right hand and probably in his ear, from up in the box, on game days.

My take is that they may bring in someone as an offensive assistant, like passing game coordinator but that Whipple will be QB coach/coordinator in waiting while Haskell will mentor him on how him and Shurmur want to offense to run. Whipple (if he works out) will be Offensive coordinator next year.

As of now, I see Shurmur/Haskell and Whipple. I think Haskell will step aside once the offense in totally in place and Shurmur is comfortable. At that point Whipple will be QB/OC coach.

I think it is workable and makes sense. A good OC would want control. As of now Shurmur and Haskell seem to want to put their offense in and bring Whipple along as OC in waiting. Basically, Haskell is the OC but since he isn't looking for a full time position, they won't say he's the OC. He's an advisor, up in age, with a nice looking WCO offensive resume, so you use him for what you can get out of him and let Whipple learn on the fly.

JMO-FWIW

I'm more worried about getting enough of the right players. You'd be really surprised at how much better they can make a QB look and how much smarter the guy calling plays looks. When I called plays at the high school level back in the stone age with a bunch of kids that could score from anywhere on the field, it was a multiple choice where every answer was correct. I literally stayed in the Buck Series with a QB that was dynamite at hiding the football in playaction so teams never knew if we were gonna bootleg a waggle pass or give off to the FB or hand it to the wingback coming from one side of the field and sweeping to the other. Same flow of events every play with nobody knowing who was getting the ball with a bunch of kids that had the giddyup to light that scoreboard quickly. Kind of like the highschool version of choosing between Rice, All Pro TE, Taylor, Craig or Rathman via the eyes, mind and marksmanship of Montana and later Steve Young. When QBs like Steve Young, Doug Williams and Randall Cunningham go to new teams to play the best football of their career - don't think they're losing sight of how wonderful it is to have guys like Moss, Rice, Carter, Taylor, Owens, Monk, Clark, Sanders, with RBs sporting great hands out of the backfield. What if Steve Young never left Tampa? Come to think of it - what if Doug Williams, Vinny Testaverde and Tony Dungy never left Tampa? The Tampa MEDIA would have been correct with their brutally cold remarks?

If those are crappy examples, look at the difference in Michael Vick when he's got Jackson and Maclin with a RB like McCoy as opposed to an inexperienced Roddy White (back then) with LT Kevin Shaffer saying "don't worry I got your back." A guy with a very sharp sword once uttered those very same words to Julius Caesar. He also has a coach that doesn't look so distracted being awestruck the Mora used to be. Geez, no wonder why he didn't think he needed to prepare back then.

Best news? Heckert was the guy that added all those personnel gems for Vick. If we shop for the right goodies, it's gonna be alot easier to get excited about watching them cook on game day. In a perfect world, we stop choosing the lesser of all evils with the WRs moving forward so our new coaches CAN be successful.

[Enigmatic Evil]

I love that Colt is embracing this responsibility. The thing I like most about Colt is his work ethic, he doesn't stop to improve himself and he is completely driven to be the best quarterback that he can be. How can you not support that? He showed early on that he can motivate his teammates and that even as a rookie he commanded the respect of his teammates. You know that they respected the level of work that he put in as well.

I'm glad that Shurmur has embraced a team aspect. Already he's embracing one of the things that bugged me about Mangini. Shurmur is embracing it as a "team" journey and stressing growing together and acknowledging that Colt's progression is a large factor in that. He's building an immediate rapport with his QB and Mangini did not do that. It was about "Mangini's system" and I am glad to see Shurmur is avoiding that at all costs.

I think there's legitimate hope for the future where you wish to look for it. This isn't a blind faith in Holmgren and Co. this is real. I think that we have a legitimate chance to turn the corner here and that completely revolves around the team growing together.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Flugel

I'm more worried about getting enough of the right players. You'd be really surprised at how much better they can make a QB look and how much smarter the guy calling plays looks. When I called plays at the high school level back in the stone age with a bunch of kids that could score from anywhere on the field, it was a multiple choice where every answer was correct. I literally stayed in the Buck Series with a QB that was dynamite at hiding the football in playaction so teams never knew if we were gonna bootleg a waggle pass or give off to the FB or hand it to the wingback coming from one side of the field and sweeping to the other. Same flow of events every play with nobody knowing who was getting the ball with a bunch of kids that had the giddyup to score from anywhere on the field. Kind of like the highschool version of choosing between Rice, All Pro TE, Taylor, Craig or Rathman via the eyes, mind and marksmanship of Montana and later Steve Young. When QBs like Steve Young, Doug Williams and Randall Cunningham go to new teams to play the best football of their career - don't think they're losing sight of how wonderful it is to have guys like Moss, Rice, Carter, Taylor, Owens, Monk, Clark, Sanders, with RBs sporting great hands out of the backfield. What if Steve Young never left Tampa? Come to think of it - what if Doug Williams, Vinny Testaverde and Tony Dungy never left Tampa? The Tampa MEDIA would have been correct with their brutally cold remarks?

If those are crappy examples, look at the difference in Michael Vick when he's got Jackson and Maclin with a RB like McCoy as opposed to an inexperienced Roddy White (back then) with LT Kevin Shaffer saying "don't worry I got your back." A guy with a very sharp sword once uttered those very same words to Julius Caesar. He also has a coach that doesn't look so distracted being awestruck the Mora used to be. Geez, no wonder why he didn't think he needed to prepare back then.

Best news? Heckert was the guy that added all those personnel gems for Vick. If we shop for the right goodies, it's gonna be alot easier to get excited about watching them cook on game day. In a perfect world, we stop choosing the lesser of all evils with the WRs moving forward so our new coaches CAN be successful.

I agree 100% that it is more about players and their ability to execute then coaches and their systems. That's why I can't see all the negative about the new coaching staff.

This team needs playmakers on both sides of the ball and it won't be accomplished in one year. So, it really doesn't matter if we run a 4-3 or 3-4 or WCO. They all have been successful, some more then others because they put the players in a situation where they could perform the best. Round pegs in round holes works better then forcing square pegs into round holes.

It's nice to see an entire organization on the same page. Now it's time for Heckert to do his thing and bring in the talent or this won't end up any better then the last few.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Inspecta

Well I just love that we have a QB that's already working on next year as opposed to an oaf of a QB we used to have that would be on the golf course from Jan-May. The NFL is a year round venture now, and for the players that embrace the fact that there really is no offseason are the ones that create the edge over the opponent. Shit, just look at Favre, a 20 year vet, but he didn't do shit last offseason, skipped training camp and it couldn't be more evident.

McCoy seems to have that drive and desire, and like Shep said, with the brain trust this kid has at his disposal I can see our offense out-thinking a lot of defenses next year.

I'm starting to warm up to the Shurmur hiring a little bit more. However part of me still thinks we might of cut n' run on Mangini too soon. Time will tell though.


BTW, it's good to be back up and running!

To piggyback on the Shurmur reaching out to Colt and this staff engaging with the players. While the site was down I read where Jauron has reached out to Rogers about whether he wants to play for the Browns and him next year. Jauron was Rogers's DC when he can into the league with the Lions and Rogers was selected to a pro bowl under Jauron. They have a good history and if Rogers can be led back from the dark side, it may be Jauron who could do it.

I wish I could find the article now because it did have some info in there about the team wanting Rogers to redo his contract. Same money but incentive based.